Orchards & Vineyards
These recommendations are generalized guidelines to begin using EM-1® Microbial Inoculant. For custom programs that consider soil/climate type, current fertility, cultural techniques, and economic analysis contact EM America. Custom EM-1® programs may include EM-1® compost and bokashi, EM5, and EM® Fermented Plant Extracts (EM FPE). We recommended to use Activated EM-1® for orchard or vineyard programs due to the cost savings. Activated EM-1® is applied at the same rate as EM-1® recommended below.
The information is divided into two sections, foliar treatment and soil treatment. The methods below can be used for all type of fruit trees from apples to oranges to peaches and nut trees as well. Vine crops such as grapes and kiwi also benefit from these programs.
For all orchards, trees and vines, prunings can be chopped and inoculated with EM•1® and incorporated right in the rows to add microbes, accelerate breakdown, and add organic matter all at the same time. This is espeically beneficial for areas that have placed bans on burning plant materials and for operations with limited space.
Foliar
EM-1® Microbial Inoculant Foliar Application Schedule:
- Winter: Effective Microorganisms™ should be applied once a month as a foliar treatment to trees (or vines) as well as tree residue (litter) from the previous year. Many diseases from the previous year are harbored in the leaf and fruit litter. It is important to inoculate, remove, and compost this residue to help brake the disease cycle.
- Spring: When bud swell begins increase Effective Microorganisms&trade (EM-1®) application frequency to every 2-3 weeks. If it is a wet spring and the temperatures become conducive for disease, particularly mildews and rots, apply EM-1® every 7-10 days. Spray blossoms at a dilution rate of 1:250.
- Summer: Apply EM-1® every 2-4 weeks as fruit is maturing. With more frequent treatments the fruit may develop improved color, size, and overall quality.
- Fall/Post Harvest Treatment: Spray Effective Microorganisms&trade on the trees within 48 hours before harvest to maximize post harvest fruit quality and storage. Resume winter schedule after harvest.
Recommended EM-1® Foliar Dilution Rates
- Tree or Vine seedlings (1 year old or less): Apply Effective Microorganisms&trade as a foliar application at a rate of 1:500 (EM-1®:Water).
- Tree or Vine saplings (2-3 years old): Apply Effective Microorganisms&trade as a foliar application at a rate of 1:250.
- Mature Trees or Vines (4 years and older): Apply Effective Microorganisms&trade as a foliar application at a rate of 1:100
Grape Vineyard Recommendation: If biweekly sulfur application occurs throughout the growing season, EM-1® applications (1:100 dilution ratio) can be alternated every other week to reduce sulfur application by 50%.
Application Tips:
- Timing of EM-1® application can be important for maintaining optimal health during periods of high disease pressure. If possible make applications 24 hours before potentially damaging climate changes (warm rain, frost, high winds/heat/moisture, etc.).
- During the 1st year of treatment it is critical to apply EM-1® on a consistent basis to ensure establishment of Effective Microorganisms
- Foliar: Apply EM-1® in the morning or evenings when the solar index is lowest (mornings are best).
Note: When increasing the EM-1® concentration for foliar applications it is recommended to treat a smaller test plot and monitor the 24 to 48 hour tree or vine response before treating the entire orchard or vineyard.
Soil
Effective Microorganisms&trade Soil Treatment Schedule:
This component of the program is important to help improve soil structure and strengthen the beneficial micro-ecology of soil.
Apply (inject) EM-1® into irrigation water at a rate of 5 gallons/acre 4 to 8 times a year depending on soil health. Spray EM-1® at a 1:100 dilution ratio on cover crops or ground cover before or after mowing or discing the cover crop/ground cover.
Following all of these recommendations will help you produce fruits and berries with higher overall antioxidants (vitamins and trace minerals) resulting in sweeter fruits that have a longer shelf life and are more nutritious. For apples, it is visible when they don't brown as fast. There is less lost fruit on trees and greater production on trees due to an increase in the canopy.
Ingredients
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
Microorganisms: 1 million colony forming units/cc (units/ml), 1%: Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhodopseudomonas palustris.
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
96% Water and 3% Molasses
MSDS
EM-1® (Effective Microorganisms™) Microbial Inoculant: AgriculturePREPARED: 09/01/06
PRODUCT NAME: EM-1® Microbial Inoculant
PRODUCED BY:
EMRO USA, Inc. dba EMRO USA Effective Microorganisms
2440 N. Coyote Drive Suite 126
Tucson, AZ 85745
Phone: (520) 792-3143 Fax: (928) 563-1037>
SECTION I - PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
GENERAL OR GENERIC NAME: Liquid Microbial Inoculant
HAZARD RATING:
HEALTH - 0 Normal Material
FIRE - 0 Will not burn
REACTIVITY - 0 Stable
SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
If present, carcinogens and chemicals subject to reporting are identified in this section:
INGREDIENTS %(By Volume) Note
No hazardous ingredients present; not hazardous to humans, animals or plants.
SECTION III - PHYSICAL DATA
BOILING POINT: >100 °C
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 1.2 (25°c)
VAPOR PRESSURE: N/D
SOLUBILITY IN WATER: Complete
VAPOR DENSITY: Air = 1
MELTING POINT: N/A
% VOLATILE BY VOLUME: 0
EVAPORATION RATE: Equal to water
APPERANCE AND ODOR: Brown liquid; mild
pH OF SOLUTION: 3.5
SECTION IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION INFORMATION
FLASH POINT: N/A
EXPLOSION LIMIT: 0
EXTINGUISHING: N/A
FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: N/A
SPECIAL FIRE & EXPLOSION HAZARDS: None
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION BYPRODUCTS: None
SECTION V - HEALTH HAZARD DATA
HEALTH HAZARDS: None
CARCINOGENICITY: Non-carcinogenic
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE: None
PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LEVEL: None; see Section II
PRIMARY ROUTES OF ENTRY: Skin contact, Eye contact, Ingestion, Inhalation
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE:
SKIN - None
EYES - May cause eye irritation
INHALATION - None
INGESTION - May cause gas
FIRST AID:
IF ON SKIN - None
IF ON EYES - Flush with fresh water
IF INHALED - None
IF INGESTED - Drink fresh water
SECTION VI - REACTIVITY DATA
INCOMPATIBILITY: None
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: Will not occur
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION OR BYPRODUCTS: None; biodegradable
STABILITY: Stable, not effected by freezing. No toxic fumes.
SECTION VII - SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES
IN CASE OF LEAK OR SPILL: Mop up with fresh water, sewer disposal
WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD: Sewer disposal
HANDLING AND STORING PRECAUTIONS: Store at room temperature
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Not recommended for human consumption
SECTION VIII - PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO BE USED
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: None
VENTILATION: None
PROTECTIVE GLOVES: Optional
EYE PROTECTION: Safety glasses recommended
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: None
WORK PRACTICES: Clean up spills immediately; floor will be slick
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Testimonial
I started using EM-1® Microbial Inoculant in 1999 on navel oranges in Strathmore, Cali.
I apply the EM-1® Microbial Inoculant in the irrigation system and also spray it on the foliage. Since using EM-1® Microbial Inoculant, the trees became more health and vigorous, putting on a heavier canopy of leaves, which led to increased fruit production. Also by using non-toxic EM-1® Microbial Inoculant .... I eliminated the worry of toxic residue, spray drift, and worker hazards.
I am quite pleased with the results of using EM-1® Microbial Inoculant.
Norio Iwata
Strathmore, California
